STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football might have lost a key offensive player to an injury in its 31-9 loss at No. 5 Texas A&M on Oct. 4.
Fluff Bothwell, MSU’s starting running back, was carted off the field with 3:57 remaining in the game after getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage on a reception. He was unable to put weight on his right leg before being loaded on to the cart. The South Alabama transfer is second in the SEC with 465 rushing yards in 2025.
No update on Bothwell’s status has been given as of Oct. 6 with the Bulldogs (4-2, 0-2 SEC) on an open week. Coach Jeff Lebby will hold a news conference Oct. 7 where an update on Bothwell could come. MSU plays at Florida (2-3, 1-1) on Oct. 18.
Here’s a look at what Bothwell’s injury could mean for Mississippi State if he misses games.
Who would replace Fluff Bothwell on Mississippi State depth chart?
Bothwell is Mississippi State’s leading rusher but has split time with Davon Booth. Booth was MSU’s top running back last season. He has 59 carries for 265 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season.
Johnnie Daniels, who was second on Mississippi State last season with 540 rushing yards, is still on the team but hasn’t played since Week 3 and was removed from the depth chart in Week 4.
Sophomore Xavier Gayten is listed behind Booth and Bothwell on the depth chart, but he has only played on special teams in the last two games. The four-star recruit from Brookhaven has looked useful though in his limited playing time. Gayten has eight carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Mississippi State could also turn to Seth Davis, but he’s only played twice in mop-up duty this season after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury. Kolin Wilson, a freshman, is the only other running back on the roster.
Mississippi State had worst offensive game under Jeff Lebby vs Texas A&M
Mississippi State’s offense had its worst performance in Lebby’s two seasons in the Texas A&M game, even before Bothwell’s injury. Bothwell had 14 carries for 60 yards. The Bulldogs didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter and had five three-and-outs.
Many of the issues were rooted in the passing game with troubles in pass protection of quarterback Blake Shapen. Bothwell’s injury could create even more challenges for the offense.
What Jeff Lebby said of Fluff Bothwell injury after Texas A&M game
With Bothwell’s injury so late in the game, Lebby did not have many details on his status. Bothwell’s family was outside the Mississippi State locker room after the game.
“Don’t really know,” Lebby said Oct. 4. “They immediately took him in to get X-rays, so hopefully we have some sort of update here sooner than later.”
Fluff Bothwell stats
Bothwell has 84 rushing attempts for 465 yards and six touchdowns this season. The 5-foot-10, 230-pound Bothwell second in the SEC in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns.
He also has seven receptions for 37 yards.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Fluff Bothwell injury impact for Mississippi State if RB is out
